34 



British Cage Birds. 



place, in flocks, in search of food, some crossing the Channel, 

 whilst others remain with us during the winter. Those that 

 cross the sea return again the following March, sometimes in 

 small batches, and at others in larger numbers. They are 

 fond of mountainous and rugged districts, and appear to enjoy 

 the furze-clad hills and densely wooded spots. In the 

 autumn and winter th?y rove from field to field to supply 

 their daily wants, and, when they discover a place suited to 

 them, where an abundance of provender is easily obtainable, 

 remain there until the store is exhausted. 



Brown Linnets are of an amorous nature, affectionate in 

 their disposition, showing great attachment to each other, 

 and considerable affection for their young until they leave 

 the parental care. They build their nests chiefly on the 

 sides of barren hills, where there is an abundance of furze, 

 in woods where there is much undergrowth, sometimes in 

 thorn hedges that separate fields, and in gardens in the 

 neighbourhood of demesnes. They prefer quiet, secluded 

 places. The nest is formed of root fibres, dried grass, and 

 moss, and is lined with horsehair, wool, and the down of 

 plants, such as groundsel and dandelion ; it is small, but 

 well made, artistically finished, and exceedingly compact. 



The hen lays from four to six eggs, according to the 

 season of the year. These are of a silvery whitish blue colour, 

 densely marked with flesh-coloured and brownish red spots 

 and short stripes, more particularly at the thickest end. 

 The hen incubates fourteen or fifteen days, according to 

 the period of year and temperature of the atmosphere, and 

 has three, and occasionally four, nests in the year, though 

 the number greatly depends on the mildness of the season, 

 the duration of genial weather, and other circumstances. 



The hen takes the sole charge of the nest during the 

 period of incubation, and is very sedulous in the performance 

 of her duties ; so much so, that she will scarcely leave the 

 nest until driven off, and in such case, she will alight at a 

 short distance, and utter cries of defiance, in which the male 

 bird invariably joins. The cock feeds the hen whilst she is 

 sitting, so that she rarely leaves the nest for more than a 

 few minutes in the morning and evening for a little exercise. 



The parents feed the young ones from the crop, and, when 

 the latter are sufficiently matured to leave the nest, the male 



